edhew@xenitec.on.ca (Ed Hew) (01/22/91)
I'm posting this for my brother who does not have USENET news access.
Please email all replies directly to him:
fulko@fkhew.uucp
.....uunet!attcan!lsuc!maccs!fkhew!fulko
.....uunet!watmath!maccs!fkhew!fulko
Thanks to all who care to comment.
--
Ed. A. Hew <edhew@xenitec.on.ca>, XeniTec Consulting Services
or if you're really stuck: ..!{watmath|lsuc}!xenitec!eah
========================= Snip here =============================
I'm looking for answers from both the legal mind, and those other companies
out there that write software for a living, both stand alone software ie. PC
software, and software for embedded systems. ie. the dashboard of your Buick.
I'm wondering what policies other companies have with respect to having
an individuals name (the person that wrote the software) on the banner message
that appears when a piece of software starts.
Like most companies, when an employee writes a program, the employee does not
own the software, but the company does. The author, and therefore the
patent/copywrite holder is the company. The question is, do you, the other
companies out there, allow the designer/implementor to put a message on the
screen with their name on it?
ie. The ABC spreadsheet program
(c) 1991 Software Wigets Inc.
Written by: Joe Blow
On the side for allowing it:
1/ The creator gets personal recognition,
and therefore a reputation (hopefully a good one).
A good ego boost.
On the down side:
1/ The company may want all customer enquiries to only go through a service
or sales group, and not to the creator. (too many costly interuptions)
2/ After all, the company owns the software and not the individual.
3/ In most circumstances, the company will want to maintain liability, in
the case that something goes wrong with the program. Professional
engineers, otherwise, would have to assume liability. If their name
is visable, could it not create a problem?
4/ OK, so you let the guy put his name on the software.
What happens if it is a group work?
What about the designer, the tester, the ... they all had valuable input
to the the program. What about the guy who fixed the bugs, or makes
version 2? Does he delete all names before him, or just add his to the
growing list. Where does it stop?
5/ Its not professional ;-| ????
My personal opinion:
The individual's name should not appear on the banner.
Buried in the executable... maybe.
In the source code... only if its freeware, or if its never distributed.
What is the rest of the worlds opinion?
Please send your comments to me:
Fulko Hew, (416) 528-8811 x 6225
Engineering Designer,
Innovation & Integration Group, ...!maccs!fkhew!fulko
Information Services Division,
Westinghouse Canada Inc.
============================== End of Snip ============================tomr@ashtate (Tom Rombouts) (01/24/91)
In article <1991Jan22.052940.11570@xenitec.on.ca> edhew@xenitec.on.ca (Ed Hew) writes: > >Like most companies, when an employee writes a program, the employee does not >own the software, but the company does. The author, and therefore the >patent/copywrite holder is the company. [ rest of post deleted ] As an aside, a certain percentage of software sold is licensed from individuals who get a royalty, much like book or record sales. However, as the size of microcomputer software increases, this practice is likely becoming less common. (In these cases, the software company is providing the packaging, marketing and distribution, but does not hold the copyright.) Btw, check out the "who" command on the current release of dBASE IV 1.1. It lists c. 115 people on the dBASE IV development team. (Windows 3.0 has a simular "easter egg" that will reveal a screen full of apparent e-mail aliases.) These are ways of providing ego satisfaction without the intrusion of an opening banner. (Of course, _I_ was left out of the "who" command in dBASE IV, a fact that I am well aware of as I contemplate my future.... So these type of things are not without their problems, as well.) Tom Rombouts Torrance 'Tater tomr@ashtate.A-T.com V:(213)538-7108
rorex@locus.com (Phil Rorex) (01/24/91)
In article <1991Jan22.052940.11570@xenitec.on.ca> edhew@xenitec.on.ca (Ed Hew) writes: > >I'm posting this for my brother who does not have USENET news access. >Please email all replies directly to him: > > fulko@fkhew.uucp > .....uunet!attcan!lsuc!maccs!fkhew!fulko > .....uunet!watmath!maccs!fkhew!fulko > >Thanks to all who care to comment. >-- > Ed. A. Hew <edhew@xenitec.on.ca>, XeniTec Consulting Services > or if you're really stuck: ..!{watmath|lsuc}!xenitec!eah > >========================= Snip here ============================= > >I'm looking for answers from both the legal mind, and those other companies >out there that write software for a living, both stand alone software ie. PC >software, and software for embedded systems. ie. the dashboard of your Buick. > >I'm wondering what policies other companies have with respect to having >an individuals name (the person that wrote the software) on the banner message >that appears when a piece of software starts. > >Like most companies, when an employee writes a program, the employee does not >own the software, but the company does. The author, and therefore the >patent/copywrite holder is the company. The question is, do you, the other >companies out there, allow the designer/implementor to put a message on the >screen with their name on it? > >ie. The ABC spreadsheet program > (c) 1991 Software Wigets Inc. > Written by: Joe Blow [ more of similar deleted ] >Fulko Hew, (416) 528-8811 x 6225 >Engineering Designer, >Innovation & Integration Group, ...!maccs!fkhew!fulko >Information Services Division, >Westinghouse Canada Inc. > > >============================== End of Snip ============================ Reminds me of my little ATT 3B1. There's a command in /bin called: .!. which displays (in a somewhat gaudy fashion) anyone and everyone (apparently) who had something to do with the Convergent port to that thing (UNIXPC). Or perhaps it was a leftover from the original mini-frame port? Anyone know? It always impressed me as being a bit childish, but "what the hey", maybe I just felt jealous 'cause I wasn't working at a place where I could get away with something like that. Newsgroups: comp.misc Subject: Re: copyrights and personal recognition (opinions solicited) References: <1991Jan22.052940.11570@xenitec.on.ca> Followup-To: Distribution: world Organization: Locus Computing Corporation, Inglewood, CA Keywords: copyright, recognition, author, program In article <1991Jan22.052940.11570@xenitec.on.ca> edhew@xenitec.on.ca (Ed Hew) writes: > >I'm posting this for my brother who does not have USENET news access. >Please email all replies directly to him: > > fulko@fkhew.uucp > .....uunet!attcan!lsuc!maccs!fkhew!fulko > .....uunet!watmath!maccs!fkhew!fulko > >Thanks to all who care to comment. >-- > Ed. A. Hew <edhew@xenitec.on.ca>, XeniTec Consulting Services > or if you're really stuck: ..!{watmath|lsuc}!xenitec!eah > >========================= Snip here ============================= > >I'm looking for answers from both the legal mind, and those other companies >out there that write software for a living, both stand alone software ie. PC >software, and software for embedded systems. ie. the dashboard of your Buick. > >I'm wondering what policies other companies have with respect to having >an individuals name (the person that wrote the software) on the banner message >that appears when a piece of software starts. > >Like most companies, when an employee writes a program, the employee does not >own the software, but the company does. The author, and therefore the >patent/copywrite holder is the company. The question is, do you, the other >companies out there, allow the designer/implementor to put a message on the >screen with their name on it? > >ie. The ABC spreadsheet program > (c) 1991 Software Wigets Inc. > Written by: Joe Blow [ more of similar deleted ] >Fulko Hew, (416) 528-8811 x 6225 >Engineering Designer, >Innovation & Integration Group, ...!maccs!fkhew!fulko >Information Services Division, >Westinghouse Canada Inc. > > >============================== End of Snip ============================ Reminds me of my little ATT 3B1. There's a command in /bin called: .!. which displays (in a somewhat gaudy fashion) anyone and everyone (apparently) who had something to do with the Convergent port to that thing (UNIXPC). Or perhaps it was a leftover from the original mini-frame port? Anyone know? It always impressed me as being a bit childish, but "what the hey", maybe I just felt jealous 'cause I wasn't working at a place where I could get away with something like that. _ +1 213 337-5062 |_) |_ . | ...!{ucla-se|uunet}!lcc!rorex Phillip Rorex | | ( | | rorex@locus.com Disclaimer: I speak only for myself -- _ +1 213 337-5062 |_) |_ . | ...!{ucla-se|uunet}!lcc!rorex Phillip Rorex | | ( | | rorex@locus.com Disclaimer: I speak only for myself
cgy@cs.brown.edu (Curtis Yarvin) (01/25/91)
In article <1991Jan24.014452.3033012@locus.com> rorex@locus.com (Phil Rorex) writes: >Reminds me of my little ATT 3B1. There's a command in /bin called: > .!. >which displays (in a somewhat gaudy fashion) anyone and everyone (apparently) >who had something to do with the Convergent port to that thing (UNIXPC). >Or perhaps it was a leftover from the original mini-frame port? Anyone >know? >It always impressed me as being a bit childish, but "what the hey", maybe I >just felt jealous 'cause I wasn't working at a place where I could get away >with something like that. Not only that... but, after it listed the names (flashing lights and all), it crashed the machine - via some unknown OS bug or other. Apparently the designers did not suffer from the slings and arrows of conscience... the bug was still there in 3b1 Unix 3.5. Curtis "I tried living in the real world Instead of a shell But I was bored before I even began." - The Smiths
meo@Dixie.Com (Miles ONeal) (01/25/91)
Out of 4 software employers, 2 have allowed it. I also have my own company on the side. Guess what the policy is? 8^) And as it grows, the policy will stay the same. -Miles meo@dixie.com
todd@toolz.uucp (Todd Merriman) (02/06/91)
>In article <1991Jan22.052940.11570@xenitec.on.ca> edhew@xenitec.on.ca (Ed Hew) writes: >>Like most companies, when an employee writes a program, the employee does not >>own the software, but the company does. The author, and therefore the >>patent/copywrite holder is the company. Top-level engineers can negotiate this when they hire-on. There is absolutely no reason to give away all recognition and compensation for the extraordinary work that you do. If you have a record of substantial achievement, then demand something more than a "gold watch" for it! A common stipulation in employment agreements is to share the ownership of copyrights, between the engineer and the company. And, in addition, royalties may also be paid by the company to the engineer. Surely, you don't expect "the boss" to watch out for you! It's up to you to see that you get what you deserve. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Todd Merriman - Software Toolz, Inc. * Maintainer of the * * 8030 Pooles Mill Dr., Ball Ground, GA 30107-9610 * Software * * todd@toolz.UUCP, (...emory!stiatl!slammer!toolz!todd) * Entreprenuer's * * V-mail (800) 869-3878, (404) 889-8264 * mailing list * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
kadie@cs.uiuc.edu (Carl M. Kadie) (02/06/91)
In the fine arts, in some places, the artist has "droit moral", or moral rights. These include the right of paternity which gives "the artist the right to insist that his or her name be associated the work. Indeed, in France, the right cannot be waived even by the artist." [The Rights of Authors and Artists, Kenneth Norwick et al, ACLU, 1984] New York State has similar (but weaker) laws. -- Carl Kadie -- kadie@cs.uiuc.edu -- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign